Housing for All: Tackling Housing as Workforce & Economic Infrastructure
Learn more about West Valley housing trends, and engage in an AZ Town Hall discussion around creative solutions to support housing, and livability in the West Valley.
Tara Jackson has served as president of Arizona Town Hall since July of 2006. In that capacity, she works with diverse Arizonans from around the state to create informed community and statewide sessions where participants discuss challenging political and social topics in a manner that builds consensus and creates blueprints for positive change. She also frequently acts as a facilitator and consultant for government and private organizations.
Prior to joining the staff of Arizona Town Hall, Tara practiced law in the area of employment and commercial litigation for 16 years. In addition to her law practice, Tara has served in numerous positions for both state and federal bar associations. She has also served in various leadership or advisory positions for other non-profit and educational organizations.
Ashley Cooper is a Research Analyst at the Morrison Institute for Public Policy and with the Arizona Research Center for Housing and Economic Solutions (ARCHES). She works on place-based research projects investigating barriers to housing affordability and access in Arizona.
Prior to joining the Morrison Institute, Ashley was a researcher at the Center for Work and Democracy at ASU. She has previously worked as a research fellow with American Friends Service Committee of Arizona and as a legal intern with the ACLU of Arizona.
Ashley earned her Ph.D. in Justice and Social Inquiry in the School of Social Transformation. Her dissertation, titled "'Love and Affection from the House of Correction': A People's History of Organizing for Dignity in Arizona Prisons," explores the evolution of the Parsons v. Ryan class action lawsuit regarding prison medical care, conditions, and solitary confinement from the perspective of imprisoned women through archival, convivial, and historical sources.
Kimberly Jordan serves as Executive Vice President at WESTMARC, where she is dedicated to advancing the strategic development, growth, and long-term success of the West Valley region. Her passion for workforce and economic development drives her leadership in creating impactful strategies, initiatives, and measurable outcomes.
She is a graduate of the Talent Pipeline Management Academy (TPM), a program offered by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the U.S. Chamber Foundation, which equips leaders with nationally recognized tools and resources for workforce development.
Kimberly brings 27 years of experience in the healthcare industry, specializing in rehabilitative services including mental and behavioral health and physical rehabilitation. Her career also includes leadership roles in higher education—serving as Director of Admissions, Assistant Dean of Students, and Campus Director—which ultimately shaped her transition into workforce and economic development.
Beric Wessely serves as the Director of Lease-up Operations at 29th Street Living, a pivotal role combining the expertise of the New Development and Property Management teams. Beric oversees all lease-up activities from project inception through stabilization, ensuring seamless coordination between marketing, staffing, and on-site management. His work begins in the early stages of development, collaborating closely with the New Development team to craft branding, pre-leasing, and resident engagement strategies, all while aligning with 29th Street’s broader investment goals.
Beric brings more than 10 years of hands-on experience in property management across a wide range of assets, including Class C to B communities, condo-deconversions, and luxury Class A developments. He is known for his strategic innovation and ability to transform complex processes into actionable outcomes. His leadership is rooted in building cohesive teams that work as a unified force to drive performance and deliver tangible results.
